"I want all to know that if I disappear from the scene, because the bush is vast and hyenas many, that I am not planning any accident, nor, God forbid, any self destruction. Instead, I trust in a good guardian angel and in the action of grace."
Father John Kaiser

Wednesday, December 27, 2006

FBI claims it will testify

Our recent pleas to have the FBI testify at the inquest in Kenya are starting to pay off. This is the most recent article regarding the inquest:

Kenya: Ministers Named in Kaiser Inquiry

The Nation (Nairobi)December 5, 2006Posted to the web December 5, 2006Francis ThoyaNairobi

Names of two Cabinet ministers and an MP yesterday featured prominently in the ongoing inquest into the death of Mill Hill missionary John Anthony Kaiser.

Education minister George Saitoti and his Immigration colleague Gedion Konchella and Narok North MP William ole Ntimama are alleged to have offered financial support to a women's group in Trans Mara to demonstrate in Nairobi against former minister Julius Sunkuli accused of abusing schoolgirls in his constituency.

Sexual abuse

As the women were staging the demonstration, Fr Kaiser is claimed to have been investigating Mr Sunkuli over allegations of sexual abuse.

The three politicians are said to have supported the group after the Government failed to take action on Mr Sunkuli.

An inquest presided over by senior principal magistrate Maureen Odero yesterday heard that the priest died before he concluded his investigations.

His remains were discovered at the Morindet junction in Naivasha on August 23, 2000.Catholic Women Association secretary Anne Kiruti told the court that in August 2000, women in Trans Mara angered by Mr Sunkuli's act, resolved to hold a demonstration against Mr Sunkuli over the claims.

"Since President Moi, among other key institutions, had failed to act on a petition presented to him regarding his minister (Mr Sunkuli), we resolved to hold a demonstration in Nairobi," Mrs Kiruti said.

And because they lacked money with which to organise the protest, the said they sought financial assistance from Prof Saitoti, Mr Konchella and Mr Ntimama. They were then Mr Sunkuli's political rivals.

Sixty women took part in the city demonstrations that started at the Federation of Women Lawyers offices and ended at the Holy Family Basilica.

Mrs Kiruti recounted that they travelled to the city in three matatus on August 15, 2000 at 2am, after they received information that the bus they were set to use, would be burnt.

Moved to Narok

She further told the inquiry that before meeting his death, Fr Kaiser had informed her that he had received complaints of molestation from 16 schoolgirls in Trans Mara.

"I recall Fr Kaiser agreed to support us after we informed him that we had received two complaints of sexual abuse against Mr Sunkuli," the witness said.

Yesterday, Mrs Kiruti claimed she moved from Kilgoris to Narok for fear of her life after Mr Sunkuli threatened her.

Mr Sunkuli turned up before the inquest following summons but he was stood down to allow Mrs Kiruti testify.

The court was yesterday informed that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) officers will take the witness stand next year to shed light on the circumstances cleading to the the priest's death.